Verdict

Dell' Arca was returning after a break when a very good third at Kempton on Boxing Day though that was slightly lower grade and he's up 3lb. Hint Of Mint had been threatening to win before doing so over the minimum here last month where he had Man Of Plenty close up in second and he'll be suited by the longer trip. He's only been raised 2lb so he and the runner-up have to be respected but this can go to VERNI (NAP). Philip Hobbs' charge completed a double in minor company before coming up against the very smart Clyne on heavy going at Haydock. The winner went on to land a much better handicap on the same track and is now rated 143, 18lb higher than the selection. Argante is an obvious threat after a very easy victory in a Fakenham maiden.

Formwatch

Dell' Arca (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leading pair, 2nd travelling well before 2 out, led and went left 2 out, 2 lengths ahead when went badly left and hit last, hung left and headed run-in, soon lost 2nd, one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Doesyourdogbite (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Dec.

Willow's Saviour 33-1 (10-10) Held up in last trio, some late moderate headway, never threatened, 7th of 14, 33 1/4l behind Theligny (10-4) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.

Hint Of Mint 8-11fav (11-10) Led, headed 2 out, ridden before last, just held on, won at Taunton 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Man Of Plenty (10-10) by nk, 7 ran.

Roadie Joe (IRE) 33-1 (12-7) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 13, 35 3/4l behind Kk Lexion (11-10) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.

Remiluc (FR) 6-1 (10-6) Raced wide, led until 2nd, chased leader, hit 5th and lost place, behind when jumped slowly 9th, tailed off next, pulled up before 3 out, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Dec.

Kings Lad (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place after 2nd, ridden and no impression after 3 out, 6th of 14, 20l behind Cottersrock (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr.

Spice Fair 12-1 (10-11) Held up, in rear, in touch 9th, disputing 3rd and one pace before last, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 7, 10 1/4l behind Cogry (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.

Winning Spark (USA) 10-1 (11-6) Held up, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, plugging on but no chance when left modest 4th after the last, 4th of 10, 16 1/2l behind Space Oddity (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Jan.

Verni (FR) 4-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Clyne (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.

Forthefunofit (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden after 8th, lost place 4 out, 11th of 17, dist behind Shantou Bob (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.

Argante (FR) 6-5fav (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, hit 3 out, led next, clear before last, ran on well, won at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Dec beating Third Estate (11-0) by 15l, 8 ran.

Man Of Plenty 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Clondaw Kaempfer (11-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) gd in Jan.

Rockchasebullett (IRE) 18-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, blundered and reminder 13th, lost place 5 out, behind when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.